"I'm sorry, Ethan, but I really want to go home now. I will call a cab so you can stay here with Trisha." I turned around to walk back to the table when he stopped me, pulling on my wrist.

"What's going on? What happened?"

I looked at his face and saw the pain, the confusion. He knew we'd had a moment and I was breaking it, breaking him. I hated to see what I was doing, but I needed to be away from him to clear my head, to get things back to how they used to be.

"Nothing happened. I just need to go home now. I'm exhausted."

He shook his head. "Fine, I'll still take you."

"No, I mean it. Stay here, with Trisha. You need to pay more attention to her tonight as it is. I think she's feeling upset and neglected. I'll get a cab."

He looked at me, thinking. "I'll just have her come with us, is that better?"

I wasn't expecting that, but said it was okay with me, telling myself I needed to see them together. I needed to see them dating and to force these feelings for Ethan out of my head. I nodded my head, agreeing to his idea.

"Okay, stay here. I'll go get her." I watched him walk off and I almost called him back, telling him what was really going on, but I couldn't. It wasn't right. These feelings would wear off and then our friendship would be destroyed. I just had to get over Paul and stop using Ethan as a temporary fix.

"Well, if it isn't Aly Chase," I heard someone sneer in my ear. I turned around and saw Casey leaning against a table with a drink in her hand, glaring at me.

"Yep, it's me," I told her in a bored tone. This was the last thing I needed and it took all I had to remain pa.s.sive when all I wanted to do was knock her teeth out.

She took a gulp of the dark liquid in her gla.s.s and laughed. "You make me sick. You are so disgusting and I'm tired of it. You and I both know we hate each other so let's skip the pretenses."

I looked at her surprised. She'd never been this direct before. She also had another drink in her hand so I figured she was drunk, which would help make her stupid enough to talk to me like this. Suddenly, the memories of hearing her screaming Paul's name came roaring back and I forced down the bile that was rising in my throat.

"If that's the case, then why are you even talking to me?"

She took a step closer to me, lifting a shaky finger and punching it to my chest. "Because I know something's going on between you and Paul and I'm here to tell you to stop," she said, her eyes glazed over. "He won't ever leave me and you're pathetic to think he would. I have too much power and could destroy him. He's just using you for his own selfish reasons. I'm not stupid and have known for a while, b.i.t.c.h."

I lifted her finger off of my chest and tossed her hand aside. "First of all, don't ever touch me. Second of all, you're wrong. Nothing is going on between your playboy boyfriend and me. I can barely stand to be around him, quite honestly. As for you and your power, it's pretty sad that's what you have to use to hold onto your boyfriend, b.i.t.c.h."

She gave a little gasp at that, and then tossed the rest of her drink in my face. "You b.i.t.c.h! Don't you ever talk that way to me again!" she screamed.

I stood there stunned, her drink dripping down my face. I wiped my eyes and face as best I could, then lunged. Before I could get to her, I felt arms wrap around my waist, preventing me. I struggled to break free.

"Aly, no!" I heard Ethan shout, as he struggled to keep me from attacking Casey. I went limp in his arms, and sunk back against him. Hearing his voice made me lose the fight in me and all I wanted was for him to hold me and take me home.

He turned me around and pulled me into him, hugging me. He ran his hand up and down my hair, in a soothing gesture. I felt his lips press against my head as he calmed me down.

My body went rigid when I heard Paul.

"What the h.e.l.l is going on?"

I tried to turn around, but Ethan's arms held me tighter, refusing to let me.

"It looks as though your girlfriend threw her drink in Aly's face, Pierce," Ethan said with a growl.

Casey piped up then. "You should have heard what she said to me, baby. I won't put up with people talking s.h.i.t to me."

I heard Paul approach and felt Ethan stiffen and hold me even tighter.

"Are you okay, Aly?" Paul asked me.

"She's fine. Stay away from her," Ethan responded.

"I wasn't asking you, Baker. I'm asking her. Again, are you okay, Aly?" Paul asked.

Casey freaked. "Why are you asking her if she's okay, you b.a.s.t.a.r.d? I'm your girlfriend! You should be taking care of me!"

Paul ignored her. "Aly?"

I nodded my head against Ethan's chest as he was still holding me so tight. "I'm fine. Just get her away from me."

I heard him sigh. "Okay. I'm so sorry she attacked you. I'll take care of her." I didn't say anything as I heard him walk away.

I looked up at Ethan and felt him loosen his hold on me. I took advantage and stepped out of his arms. I accepted the napkins Trisha was handing to me. Most of the drink had ended up on Ethan's shirt from when he pushed my head so close to his chest; I still had enough to wipe off.

"Are you okay, Aly?" Ethan asked, still looking at me with concern.

I nodded. "I'm fine. I just really want to go home now."

Ethan looked to Trisha and motioned toward the exit. She nodded and started walking. Ethan took my hand and led me out the door. The warm night air did nothing to help my mood as Ethan opened the car door. Trisha started to climb in the backseat to which I immediately protested.

"No way, Trisha. I'll get in the back. You're with Ethan."

Trisha looked at Ethan, clearly conflicted. It dawned on me that he must have told her to sit in the back and for some reason that really annoyed me. I gave him a look.

"What?" he asked.

"Nothing. I'm just going to sit in the back," I said as I opened the back pa.s.senger door. I heard him sigh as he got in the car, but I didn't say anything. I sat there with my seat belt fastened and my arms crossed, ready to end this horrible night.

Trisha got in the front hesitantly and didn't say much. The whole ride back to my apartment was filled with tension and silence. I could not wait to take that bath I'd wanted earlier in the evening, before this whole mess of a night even started.

We finally arrived at the entrance to my building and I couldn't get out of the vehicle fast enough. "Thanks for bringing me home, Ethan and Trisha. Sorry the night turned out the way it did. Thank you both for helping me." I shut the door to the car and turned to walk inside.

"Aly, wait!" Ethan called out.

I froze, but was in no mood to talk, especially to him right now. He was making me feel things for him that I never had before and it freaked me out. I needed s.p.a.ce, and I needed it now.

"Are you sure you're okay?" he asked when he reached my side.

I nodded. "I'm fine. All I want to do is just get out of these clothes and sit in a nice hot bath."

He touched my shoulder. "Okay, but are you sure things are okay, between us?"

I groaned inwardly. I couldn't have this conversation right now. "Yes, things are fine. I've just had it. Between seeing Paul and then what happened with Casey...I promise things are fine, Ethan," I lied, just a little bit.

He swiped some of my hair behind my ear, sending shivers down my body. "Okay, you've just seemed off since we danced. We're friends, close friends. Nothing will ever change that." He bent over and kissed my cheek and it was all I could do not to visibly shudder in front of him.

I looked up at him. "Thank you, and I know. You're the best." I turned and entered my building, not turning around to see him. I knew I was acting strange, but I had to get rid of these feelings for him that had recently formed. There was no way Ethan and I could ever be more.

I finally reached my apartment, tossed my clutch on the sofa and slammed the door. I reeked of alcohol, so I whipped my dress off in no time flat and kicked my boots off. Walking into my bathroom and filling my tub with the hottest water I could stand, I lowered myself in slowly and luxuriated at the feeling the warm bath provided me. I needed to get the whole night off of my body and out of my system and a bath always helped me feel a little better.

The events of the evening ran through my head, as did these strange new feelings for Ethan. When I pictured him, my heart raced a bit and I couldn't stop the small smile that came to my face. Things seemed to be changing and I wasn't sure how to handle it. I was convinced that these new feelings were the result of Paul's betrayal and I refused to use Ethan to get over it.

And Paul. Thinking of him sent tingles through me as well. Even though he'd hurt me badly, I still loved him. Feelings like that don't just go away instantly. Thinking about him made me groan with desire, remembering the amazing experience of being with him and how he made me feel. d.a.m.n Casey for showing up when she did and d.a.m.n Paul for doing what he did.

Knowing I wouldn't resolve anything tonight, I held my breath and lowered my head under the water. I continued to relax in the bath then washed myself clean, scrubbing extra hard on the places Casey had thrown her drink on me. When the water got too cold for me to ignore, I pulled the plug and let the tub drain.

I wrapped myself in my cushy soft bathrobe and wandered out to the kitchen. I grabbed a water bottle from the fridge then went to sit down on the couch. My phone vibrated from inside my clutch and I debated even looking to see who had texted, but giving into the curiosity, I pulled my phone out and looked on the screen.

Paul.

I blew out a breath and didn't open the text. I was still so upset with his girlfriend that I didn't think anything he said would appease me.

When I felt my phone vibrate a second time and saw that it was Paul again, I gave in and opened the text. Apparently he wasn't giving up easily, so I decided dealing with it sooner than later would be best. The man was stubborn, to say the least. I started reading his texts and felt my stomach do flip-flops.

Aly, I am so sorry for what happened tonight. I had nothing to do with it. She has been insecure and it's driving me crazy. I need to talk to you. I can't stop thinking about you and what happened between us the other day. I am so sorry for what happened after and I want you to know I am breaking up with Casey soon.

I opened his second text.

Please let me know if you're okay. I want you to know that I told Casey I would not stand for her behavior. I miss you. <3 i="" sat="" back="" on="" the="" couch,="" my="" mind="" completely="" jumbled="" by="" his="" texts.="" when="" i="" pictured="" him="" in="" my="" mind,="" and="" how="" he="" looked="" tonight,="" it="" made="" me="" burn="" with="" desire.="" he="" was="" so="" obnoxiously="" hot="" that="" just="" seeing="" him="" in="" my="" mind="" made="" me="" groan="" out="" loud.="" i="" wanted="" nothing="" more="" than="" to="" text="" him="" to="" rush="" over="" here,="" to="" be="" with="" me,="" but="" i="" wouldn't="" do="" that.="" instead,="" i="" just="" typed="" out="" a="" short="" text="" and="" sent="">

I'm okay. Thanks for checking. I'll talk to you later.

I knew that wasn't the warmest text, but it would do. I wasn't ready to deal with him and what he told me tonight. I wasn't ready to deal with anything. I couldn't help but wonder how my life turned into this. I used to live carefree with no drama and no heartache, but in a matter of a few days, all that has completely changed. My heart was a mess and my mind was no better. Looking at the water bottle on the coffee table, I realized I needed something stronger and headed back to the kitchen to get it.

I woke up the next morning to the sound of my phone buzzing. I groaned and chucked the phone across the room, not caring if I broke it. I just wanted one day, one day where I didn't have to think about what was going on in my life. I realized that the only way I wouldn't know people were texting and trying to call me was to just turn the d.a.m.n thing off, so I got out of bed and picked it up. I didn't even look to see who had so rudely texted and woke me up; I just switched it to off and got back in bed.

A few hours later a pounding noise awakened me. I opened one eye and tried to figure out where it was coming from so I could tell them to shut up. When I realized it was someone banging on my front door, I swore and got out of bed.

I stalked to the living room and looked out the peephole. I was not surprised to see Ethan. I seriously considered not opening the door until I heard him start to yell.

"Open the d.a.m.n door, Aly, before I call the police and have them do it. I'm not leaving until I see you!"

I unlocked the door and threw it open.

"What the h.e.l.l is your problem, Ethan?" I asked furiously.

He didn't wait for me to invite him in. He just barged right past me then twirled around to face me, anger on his face.

"What the h.e.l.l is my problem? What the h.e.l.l is yours? I've been calling and texting you all morning and you don't even have the decency to at least respond and tell me you're all right? What's going on with you? You've never blatantly ignored me before, Aly, and I don't like it."

He stood there with his hands balled into fists at his sides. He looked so cute in his jeans and plain grey T-shirt that I couldn't help but burst out laughing. Swiping a hand through his still damp spikes, Ethan glared at me.

"What is so funny? I've been worried sick about you and you're laughing at me?"

I raised a hand up, trying to tell him I was sorry, but I couldn't stop laughing. All of the stress from the last week was catching up to me and I was finally losing it. I knew I was annoying him, but I had to let it out.

He continued staring, obviously not sure how to handle me. I finally settled down and gained control. I looked at him and felt that d.a.m.n jolt stronger than ever. Why now? Why was I finding him extremely attractive and wanting to shove him against the wall and kiss him like no other? Was I truly going crazy?

"I'm sorry, Ethan," I apologized as I walked to the couch and sat down. He followed me and sat on the opposite end, crossing his leg over the other. I sat with my legs tucked under me and holding a pillow. I knew it wasn't fair to avoid him. We'd been best friends for so long, but I didn't know how to deal with things any other way. It was looking like I'd have to try, though.

"What's going on, Aly?" he asked gently.

And there it was. Do or die moment. What do I say?

Well, Ethan. You see, ever since that morning after you stayed over, I've had some feelings for you, but I'm sure it's just my way of coping with what Paul did to me so don't read too much into it, okay?

No, of course I couldn't say that. But I knew I was acting different toward him and he didn't deserve it, so I just sighed.

He scooted a little closer and reached out a hand to touch my face. I couldn't help myself. I turned into it and closed my eyes. I needed him more than I realized, more than he realized. I just didn't want to do anything that would ruin our friendship. That would hurt me more than anything.

He caressed my cheek with his thumb and I felt the d.a.m.n tears start to brim. One landed on his thumb and he turned my face toward his. I looked at him and saw the questions in his eyes. I was so close to closing the distance between, so close to kissing him. It hurt to restrain myself.

I didn't kiss him, though. I just continued to stare into his beautiful eyes and realized for the first time that maybe these feelings for him weren't just to cope with Paul, that maybe they were real and I'd had them longer than I realized.

He wiped another tear from my eye and leaned his forehead against mine. "Aly, you are worrying me. What is going on? And don't tell me nothing because something obviously is. Please tell me." He continued looking at me with his forehead pressed to mine, rubbing circles on my cheeks. It felt so good and all I wanted to do was rest my head back and enjoy it.

But, that wasn't going to happen right now. I let out another sigh and pulled back from his hold. He released me without argument and sat back, waiting for me to talk as I readjusted my position on the couch.

"Ethan..." I started. I looked at the concern in his eyes and faltered. I wasn't ready to divulge my heart yet, so I took the easy way out. "You know what I've been through with Paul the past few days. I think I'm ent.i.tled to behave a little crazy, don't you?"

He regarded me, and I felt like he could see right through me, that he knew I wasn't telling him everything. I stayed strong and didn't look away from him, making my guilt that much more obvious. He leaned forward and said, "You're lying."

I felt the surprise rush through me and didn't know what to say. He continued looking at me and I couldn't take it anymore; I broke the stare. I stood up and walked to the kitchen, needing some s.p.a.ce from him, but he got up and followed me. Just as I reached the fridge, I felt him grab my wrist and he spun me around.

"What is going on, Aly?" he asked, still holding my wrist. His eyes were intense and I could see he was losing patience with me. My nerves were beyond frazzled and I was losing the little control I still held.

I pulled my wrist out of his hold and turned back to the fridge. I opened it and pulled out a juice bottle. Tossing the lid into the garbage can, I leaned back on the door of the fridge and took a few sips.

"Aly," he said in a low tone.

I held up my hand. "I know, I know. But seriously, I'm not lying. I have been thrown for a loop this week, Ethan. You know that. I think that's reason enough to be off my game for a while. I don't know what more you want me to say, Baker." I looked at him over the bottle as I took some more gulps, trying to stall for time.

He took a few steps closer to me. "You are seeming to forget something, Chase," he said, mocking me. "I've known you for years. I know you better than you know yourself, and I know you're not telling me everything. If I didn't know any better, I'd say something about me is upsetting you." He took a step back, turning away from me, and running a hand through his hair.

I dropped the plastic juice bottle and swore under my breath. He turned back to me, surprised, and watched as I bent down to get the bottle and threw it in the recycling, completely frustrated. Ethan went over to the counter and grabbed some paper towels to help wipe it up. I grabbed a few from him and started doing the same.

"It's my mess, Ethan. I'll clean it up," I said, harsher than I'd intended.

He threw the paper towel on the floor and stood up. "You are really p.i.s.sing me off, Aly. One minute you're my friend, leaning on me and talking to me. The next, you're p.i.s.sy and snapping at me. I don't get it and I'm sick of trying to." He walked out of the kitchen, leaving me alone and feeling like an idiot.

I finished cleaning up my mess and walked back out to the living room. Ethan was sitting on the couch, leaning his head back and pinching the bridge of his nose. My heart broke at the sight of him, knowing I was the cause of his stress. I walked over and sat down right beside him, leaning over and rubbing my hand through his hair, luxuriating in the soft feel of it. He kept his eyes closed, but I felt his breath hitch at my touch and that gave me the courage to keep going.

"Ethan, look at me," I said quietly as I continued brushing my fingers through his hair.

He shook his head. "No, I don't want to. I just want to sit here and enjoy what you're doing. You've been driving me crazy all day, so it's the least you can do for me."